YKL-40: a novel marker shared by chronic inflammation and oncogenic transformation

Methods Mol Biol. 2009:511:159-84. doi: 10.1007/978-1-59745-447-6_7.

Abstract

YKL-40, a member of 'mammalian chitinase-like proteins', is secreted by macrophages, neutrophils, chondrocytes, endothelial-, vascular smooth muscle-, and cancer cells. High serum YKL-40 is a biomarker of poor prognosis in patients with cancer, inflammation and increased tissue remodelling. High YKL-40 protein expression assessed by immunohistochemistry is found in breast carcinomas associated with short disease-free survival and in glioblastomas with increased resistance to radiotherapy and decreased overall survival. In this chapter we describe the methods for the detection of (1) YKL-40 protein expression in human tissues (using immunohistochemistry) and cell cultures (using immunocytochemistry); (2) YKL-40 mRNA expression in human tissues (using in situ hybridization and Polymerase Chain Reaction); and (3) YKL-40 protein concentrations in serum or plasma (using Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay).

MeSH terms

  • Adipokines
  • Animals
  • Autoantigens / genetics
  • Autoantigens / metabolism
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic*
  • Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Female
  • Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Growth Substances / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • In Situ Hybridization / methods
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Lectins
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Adipokines
  • Autoantigens
  • Biomarkers
  • CHI3L1 protein, human
  • Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1
  • Glycoproteins
  • Growth Substances
  • Lectins